Means for purifying and sterilizing water by ozonized air.



EATENTED 111311.16, 1907. i J. E. BRIDGE. MEANS EOE PUEIEYING AND STEEILIZING WATER EY OZONIZED AIE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.7.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WTNESSES.'

MM Jh.

PATENTED APR. 16, 1907.

` J. H. BRIDGE MEANS FOR PURIEYING AND STERILIZING WATER BY OZONIZED A APPLIGATION FILED FEB.7.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

l llo a/ZZ whom t may concern/ 'city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philaprolong their contact; fifth, to separate es- ENrr s Es l MEANS FOR PURIAFYING AND STERILIZING WATER BY OZONIZED AIR.`

Nol 850,416.

Specification of Letters Patent.

iratented. April 16, 1907.

Application led February 7, 1907. Serial No. 356.154.

Be it known that I, JAMEsH. BRIDGE, a subject of the King of England, but who has declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and now residing at the delphia and" State of Pennsylvania, have nvented certain new' and useful improvements in Means for Purifying and Sterilizing Water by Ozonized Air, of which the following is a specification. i

My invention has relation to means for purifying and sterilizing waterby ozonized air.

rll`he principal objects of my present invention are, first, to avoid wholly or in part the expenditure of mechanical energy involved in existing methods of forcing by compression the sterilizing-gas into a column of water, either by substituting for an air pump or compressor or suplilementing it an arrangement of pipes through which ozone is drawn into a continuous body of water and mixed with it by the iiow or suction action of the water itself; second, to provide means so that when thus commingled the gas and water are subjected to a grad ually-increasing pressure, which gradually-increasing pressure splits up the bubbles of gas into fine particles, and so brings about a thorough commingling of the gas and water; third, to provide .means for holding the ozone and water in continuous cont-act while gradually diminishing this pres# sure and while bringing about by expansion a readjustment of the gaseous molecules of the sterilizing-gas to increase their bactericidal efficiency; f urth, to hold the sterilizing-gas and water t us commingled in intimate and continuous contact and while passing in successive substantially horizontal planes to caping Ozone proceeding from the water under treatmentand drawing it by the suction action of the current of water ,either into an ozonizer or directly into the water; sixth, to provide an apparatus for drawing air into an ozonizer, then into a continuous moving body of water by the suction action thereof, and to gradually compress the mixture of air and water by its own weight,'so as to break up the larger bubbles and facilitate absorption of the gas, and then to expand the contained gas by gradually diminishing the pressure, then prolonging the contact by passing the ozone and water through a circuitous path, and then isolating the unabsorbed ozone and drawing it into an ozonizer for regeneration or passing it directly into a current of water by the suction action thereof; seventh, to provide means for performing these combined steps by gravity without using mechanical energy; eighth, to provide means for prolonging the circuit through which the mixture of ozone and water travels in proportion to the degree of purification required by the water; ninth, to provide 'means for passing, the current of mingled ozone down a vertical column, thence up a vertical column, and thence backward and forward in various horizontal planes; tenth, to provide means for utilizing unabsorbed ozone for preliminary treatment of water without cooling, purifying, drying, or regenerating, and, eleventh, to provide means for isolating and utilizing unabsorbed ozone proceeding from one body of water to oxidize the soluble organic matter in another body of water, so that when fresh ozone is admitted to the latter body of water it may attack the contained bacteria with its primal strength.

The nature of my improvements and the manner in which the same are or may be carried into effect can best be explained and understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have represented apparatus embodying my invention in preferred forms, in which- Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating partly in section and partly in elevation a U-shaped pipe terminating in a receptacle provided with a series of superposed baffles or plates arranged below the inlet for water into the U-shape pipe, an ozonizer arranged upon the receptacle, a pipe connecting the same with the U-shape pipe to transmit the suction action of the Water passing therethrough to the ozonizer, and a pipe through which fresh air is drawn into the ozonizer by the water in the U-shape pipe and communi eating by a branch pipe with the receptacle to also conduct escaping ozonized air back into the ozonizer by the suction action of the water passing through the U-shape pipe,a1l embodying features as to one form of means for carrying out my invention and Fig. 2 is a similar View, illustrating partly in elevation and partly in section a modified form of means in which fresh air is drawn into the ozonizer and 'then the fresh ozonized air into a current of water and escaping ozonized air proceeding from the Water under treatment is drawn into a higher part of the same cul'- rent of watenby the suction action of the wa- IOO ter passing alternately up and down through a series of connected vertical U-shape pipesvi ed with a series of superposed bafiies or therein.

plates b', which cause the water to flow ina circuitous path through the receptacle b before leaving through the outlet b2. Upon the receptacle b is arranged an ozonizer c of wellknown construction, which communicates with a dome-shaped extension b3 of the receptacle b by means of a -pipe c and a branch pipe c2. The ozonizer c is connected by a pipe c3 with the pipe or well c, preferably at a point adjacent to the inlet end a2 of said; pipe or Well. The pipe c of the ozonizer c preferably extends beyond the branch pipe c2, so as to form an inlet`for fresh air into the ozonizer c. v

By the described arrangement of the well or pi e a, formed integral with the uptake a', whic latter is connected with the receptacle b and with the ozonizer c, Water entering the well a will produce by its flow through the same a suction action and by means of which fresh air will be drawn into the ozonizer c through the pipe c to become ozonized This ozonized air will then be drawn through the pipe c3 into the flowing column of water. By being drawn into the water the ozonized air is commingled therewith and is also subjected to pressure by4 passing through the well a, which pressure gradually increases until the apex a3 of the well a is reached, where for efficient action a pressure of at least two atmos heres should obtain. The air and water stiil held in intimate contact rises in the uptake a toward the receptacle b with a gradually-diminishing pressure. This alternate compression and expansion produces a thorough commingling of the ozonized air and water and at the same time molecular readjustments of both fluids successively occur, through which the sterilizing action of the gas is stimulated. The contact of the air and water is prolon ed by conducting the admixture throug the receptacle b in a circuitous path prior to reaching the .exit b2 sterilized. This contact should preferably lbe prolonged for several minutes, so as to insure a complete sterilization of'the water prior to its discharge from the apparatus. The ozone unabsorbed b ,the water rises into the extension b3 of the receptacle b, from which it is drawn back into the ozonizer c through the pipes c2 and c by the suction action of the flowing water passing through the pipe or well a. I

When it is desired to conduct vescaping ozone directly back into a current of flowing water by the suction action of the same without passing it through the ozonizer before reaching the water, a modified form of apparatus, such as shown in Fig. 2, may be employed for this purpose. To permit of successively increasing and decreasing the compression of the mingled airy and water under treatment, a second well a5 and an uptake a, respectively, are joinedto the well a and uptake a/ of Fig. l, as'indicated in Fig. 2. 1n this instance the ozonizer c by means of a pipe c4 isconnected with the second well a, while the dome-shaped extension b3 of the receptacle b by means of a pipe c5 is directly connected with the well a5. Thus the ozone escaping from the water in the receptacle b will be. conducted into the Well a5 by the sucwhile the fresh air drawn into the ozonizer c and ozonized therein will be conducted into the second well a, and water to be treated will be subjected to the action first of ozonized air already having acted upon the water and thereafter to fresh ozonized air coming directly from the ozonizer c.

In Fig. 2 it will be observed that escaping ozone will be drawn from the extension b3 directly into the current of Water passing down the well a5 for the purpose of subjecting the same to preliminary ozonization. It has been found when ozone is introduced into water it first oxidizes the organic matter held in solution, and then what is left of the ozone acts upon the bacteria. Since the destruc- -tion of bacteria is the chief aim sought in the ozonization of water, the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 leaves the fresh ozone, which passes into a lower part of thesame stream in the well or pipe al free to act with its prima] strength upon the bacteria, thus todestroy the same. At the same time the old ozone is absorbed in its passage down the well or pipe a5 and by the uptake a. In the pipe a5 it is subjected to a pressure of two to four atmospheres, more orless, and then in the uptake c it is allowed to gradually expand, the residual ozone combining with the organic matter in solution until at c nothing but air mixed with impurey gases is left to escape intoN the atmosphere by means of the pipe d. p

Since a current of Water must-have a very high velocity in order to draw in by suction sufficient ozonized air to effect complete sterilization and since it has been found that a contact of six (6) minutes is sometimes re' quiredv to destroy all the bacteria in badlypolluted Water, it follows thatthe wells or lpipes a and e5 in, respectively, Figs. 1 and 2, owever profound, must be supplemented by an ample receiving chamber or receptacle in' which y means of baffles. plates, or other obtion action of the waterpassing therethrough,

structions the water and ozonized can be maintamed 1n continuous intimate contact for lprolonged periods. Further, it has been found that the comminuting effect of a pressure of two or more atmospheres is necessary to break up bubbles of air as they travel down 'i a column of fluid. For thisreason itis desirreceptacleb for effecting good results in the `sterilizatif'm of the fluid.

Having thus described the nature and o-bjects of my invention, what I claim as new,

- and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

. ment 1. Means for purifyingor sterilizing water, comprising a ipe having an uptake leading therefrom-an a receptacle provided with obstructions, the latter directly connected with said u rtake, the construction and arrangeing such that ozonized air, by the suction action of the flowing water, is drawn into the body of water by a gradually-increasing pressure, and then, by a aduallydecreasing pressure induced' vby t e water, presented to the obstructions of said receptacle for prolonging the ozonized air in intimate contact with the water for variable periods to insure thorough sterilization of the water. v

2. Means for sterilizinga liquid by a gas, comprising a generator for'the as, an arrangement of pipes for drawing y gravity the sterilizing-gas into the liquid under treatment, a pipe or well in which the mingled gas and liquid are gradually compressed by their own weight, an uptake leading therefrom and in which the gas 'and li uid are held in continuous contact'while su ject to 'a graduallydiminishing pressure as theyl ascend, and a receptacle continuing the admixture of gas and liquid by causing them to travel laterally through or about obstructions placed in the path of the ilowing fluids. l

3. Means for sterilizin a liquid by a gas, comprising .a generator or the gas, an arrangement of pipes for drawing by gravity the sterilizing-gas into the liquid under treatment, a pipe or well in which the mingled gaS.

and liquid are graduallycompressed by their own weight, an'uptake leading therefrom and inf which the gas and liquid are'held in continuous contact-while subject to a graduallydiminishing pressure as theyl ascend, and a receptacle continuing vthe admixture of gas and liquid'` by causing them to travel laterally through or about obstructions placed in the wpath of the flowing fluids and achamber for separating unabsorbed gas from the liquid for further utilization.

4. Means for sterilizing a liquid by a gas, comprising a generator for the'a's, an arrangement of pipes for drawing y gravity the sterilizing-gas into the liquid under treatment, a ipe or well in which the mingled gas y and liquid are gradually compressed by their own weight, an uptake leading therefrom and in which the gas and li uid are held in continuous contact while siilbject to a graduallydiminishing pressure as they ascend, and a receptacle continuing theadmixture of gas and liquid by causing them to travel laterally through or about obstructions placed in the path of the flowin fluids, a chamber for separating unabsorbe gas from the liquid, and means forpassing it into the generator for regeneration.

5. Means for sterilizing a liquid by a gas, comprising a generator for the as, an arrangement of'fpipes for drawing y gravity the sterilizing-gas into the liquid under treatment, a pipe or well in which the mingled gas and liquid are gradually compressed by their own Weight, an uptake leading therefrom and in which the gas and li uid are held in continuous contact while su ject to a Graduallydiminishing pressure `as they ascen a receptacle continuing the adrnixture of gas and through or about obstructionsplaced in the path of the flowing fluids, a chamber for separating unabsorbed gas lfrom the liquid and means for drawing it then by the suction action of a 4currentof water into the same.

6. Means for sterilizing water by ozone, comprising an ozonizer, an arran ement of pipes to utilize the suction action ot a moving ody of water to draw air into the ozonizer and ozonized air therefrom in'to the body of water, a pipe or well through which the admixture is. ed to subject it to a gradually-increasing pressure by the gravitative action of the descendingcolumn of gas and water, an

uptake leading therefrom in which the gas and water are maintained incontinuous contact while subject to a gradually-decreasing pressure as the mingled as and water ascend, a receptacle in which t ie admixture of gas and .water is prolonged by baflles or other loo obstructions placed in the path thereof to 1' and water are maintained in continuous contact While subject to a gradually-decreasing pressureas the mingled gas and Water ascend, a receptacle j in which the admixture of gas and Water is prolonged by baffles or other obstructions placed in the path thereof to cause l creasing pressure by the gravitative action of the descending column of gas and Water, an uptake leading therefrom in Which the gas and water are maintained in continuous contact While subject to a gradually-decreasing pressure as the mingled gas and Water ascend, a receptacle in Which the admixture of gas and water is' prolonged by bafiies or other obstructions placed in thepat-h thereof to cause the same to travel successively in more or less horizontal planes; a chamber in which unabsorbed ozone is separated'from the Wa,- ter and an arrangement of pipes by 'Which the unabsorbed ozone is drawn into a current of water by its suction, action to purify the same.

9, Means forl purifying and sterilizing a liquid, which consists of a pipe for thoroughly commingling and compressing a sterilizing gas and a fluid and expanding the mixture of gas and fluid therein by a gradually-decreasing pressure anda receptacle provided W1 th obstructions' across the path of the currents therethrough to prolong the admixture of the gas and Huid therein, the construction being such as to be adapted to maintain the sterilizing-gas and liquid in intimate and continu ous contact during entire circuit of said means.

10. An aspirator-sterilizer, comprising a pipe or well for thoroughly commingling ozonized gas and water, an uptake leading therefrom for eX anding the admixture of gas and Water an holdin While subject to a diminishing pressure an a receptacle provided with obstructions, across the path of 'the current therethrough, to prolong the admixture of the gas with the fluid.

11. An aspirator-sterilizer, comprising a pipe or Well for thoroughly commingling ozonizedgas and Water, an uptake leading 12. An 'aspirator-sterilizer, comprising a pipe or yvvell for thoroughly comminghng 'ozonized gas and water, an uptake leading therefrom for ex anding the, admixture of vided with obstructions, across thelpath of the current therethrough, to prolon the 'ad'- mixture of the gas with thefluid, an a chamber for separating the excess of ozonefrom the fluid and means for leading the excess'of ozonized gas from the separating-chamber directly into a current of flowing fluid.

' In witness whereof I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of t'Wo subscribing Witnesses.

.JAMES H. BRIDGE.

YVitnesses:

J. WALTER DoUGIlAss, GEO. W. REED.,

1 as and'water an holdin while subject to a v 

